Kiev’s belligerent stance currently makes ceasefire impossible — Russian envoy to UK

Moscow is ready to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, but the belligerent stance taken by the Kiev authorities and the West makes such a scenario unrealistic at this point, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrey Kelin said in an interview with the Times newspaper.

According to the diplomat, it is not possible for Russia to withdraw troops from the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics amid ongoing shelling attacks on civilians. Kelin also said that many Russians would not accept a ceasefire in Ukraine unless the Kiev authorities repealed laws discriminating against the Russian-speaking population. Leaving unfinished business would not be considered to be a good outcome, the envoy added.

In speaking about a potential peace talks process, Kelin noted that a number of countries in the Middle East and Latin America, together with Turkey and China, and even some British political associations, had offered to serve in a mediation role.

Kelin also said that Western sanctions have not had a strong impact on the Russian economy, noting how domestic manufacturers have been occupying the market niches left vacant by those foreign companies that have left Russia. The ambassador stressed that Russia maintained strong trade relations with its partners in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) group and could in no way be considered isolated.